Ministry of Justice Orders Prosecutors to Strictly Respond to Illegal Activities Related to COVID-19
[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The Ministry of Justice has ordered the prosecution to respond swiftly and strictly to acts that violate the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, such as refusal of epidemiological investigations and spreading fake news.
On the 25th, the Ministry of Justice announced that it instructed prosecution offices at all levels through the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to thoroughly investigate related cases, working closely with health authorities, local governments, police, and other related agencies to ensure that infectious disease prevention and containment measures are carried out in a timely manner.
The Ministry of Justice stated, "The response level to COVID-19 has been raised to the serious stage, and health authorities and local governments are making every effort to block the spread, but the situation remains severe, with 8 deaths and 893 confirmed cases nationwide," adding "as the situation becomes more serious, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office has instructed prosecution offices at all levels to respond swiftly and strictly to violations of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act."
It is judged that public anxiety is increasing due to acts such as mask sales scams, hoarding, spreading fake news, and related parties not sincerely cooperating in submitting materials during epidemiological investigations.
The Ministry of Justice specifically plans to classify and respond to crime types requiring thorough investigation, including ▲refusal, obstruction, or evasion of epidemiological investigations by related officials ▲refusal of investigation or examination to confirm infectious disease patients ▲obstruction of official duties against lawful measures by related officials ▲mask and other health product sales scams and hoarding ▲violations of laws related to assemblies and demonstrations ▲business obstruction and defamation through spreading false information ▲violations of the Personal Information Protection Act or official secret leakage due to patient information disclosure.
The prosecution is currently implementing measures such as minimizing suspect summons in response to the COVID-19 situation. This is a self-protective measure to ensure the safety of case-related persons and prosecution staff. Following Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl’s instructions, local prosecution offices nationwide have formed COVID-19 response teams to tackle the spread of infectious diseases.
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The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has formed a case response team under the COVID-19 Response Headquarters, led by Lee Chang-soo, Chief of the Criminal Division 2. This is a proactive measure to respond to five major focus crimes: ▲refusal of epidemiological investigations ▲refusal of hospitalization or quarantine measures ▲false reports of infection to government offices ▲spreading fake news ▲illegal acts related to assemblies. The response team operates dedicated units by case type, including the Health Crime Countermeasures Team, Fake News Countermeasures Team, and Assembly Countermeasures Team. A situation response team is also operating, responsible for tasks such as disinfection within the building, necessary supply support, response to suspected infections, and cooperation with related agencies.
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